Well cementing apparatus



April 17, 1951 L. H. HAYWARD WELL CEMENTING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 13, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR .nuoss EH34 ywneo,

ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 17, 1 951 UNITED STATES teATENT OFFICE,

WELL CEMENTING APPARATUS Landes H. Hayward, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application October 13, 1945, Serial No. 622,151

This invention relates to the cementing of wells; more particularly, it relates to a valve structure for use in connection therewith, adapted to be inserted in the casing string and controllable from the mouth of the well to provide an opening through the Wall of the casing.

It is an object of this invention to provide a valve structure of such type of improved and simplified design and having few moving parts.

It is another object of this invention to provide such a valve structure which may be operated to open and to close by axial movement of that portion of the casing string extending from the valve to the mouth of the well and without requiring relative rotation between said casing portions.

It is another object of this invention to provide a valve structure operable by relative axial movement of the portions of the casing string above and below the valve, having improved means for insuring against accidental opening of the valve.

It is another object of this invention to provide a casing valve in which the entire weight of the casing string above the valve may be employed if necessary for opening the valve.

It is another object of this invention to provide a casing valve which can be operated to open and close without requiring that a part of the casing be fast in the well.

It is another object of this invention to provide a casing valve having a novel seating arrangement for closing the valve port or ports, which does not require the use of packing or other sealing means between the valve ports, and in which the valve seats are protected from abrasive action by cement or other material passing the valve.

It is another object of this invention to provide a casing valve in which the outside diameter is reduced as compared with known valves for similar purposes, thus facilitating the use of the device in wells of small bore, and which provides a through opening of the same size provided by the casing. t

This invention possesses many other advantages and has other objects which may be made more easily apparent from a consideration of one embodiment of the invention. For this purpose there is shown a form in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. This form will now be described in .detail, illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that this detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the, scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

13 Claims. (01. 1661) In the drawings:

Figure l'is an elevation partly in section, showing the valve of the present invention in use in a well cementing operation;

Figure 2 is an elevation partly in section showing the valve structure with the parts in closed position;

Figure 3 is a similar view, but showing the parts in open position;

Figures 4 and 5 are cross sections on a further enlarged scale, taken as indicated by the correspondingly numbered lines of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary elevation, partly in section, of the structure of Figure 2 as seen at a right angle with respect thereto; and

Figure 7 is a similar view as seen at a right angle with respect to Figure 3.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings, the valve structure I comprises a pair of tubular members 2 and 3 telescoped one within the other for limited axial movement, and is adapted to be inserted in a casing string C intermediate the ends thereof. Thus, there is a portion of the casing string indicated by C-l extending above the valve l and to which one of the tubular mem-' bers, for example, the outside member 2, is secured, and a portion C-2 of the casing string ex-- tending below the valve, and to which the other valve member, as 3, is secured. Ports 4 and 5 are provided which extend respectively through the Walls of the members 2 and 3, and which are adapted in one relative position of the members 2 and 3 (see Figure 3) to establish communication between the space within the casing C and the space without the casing; with the members 2 and 3 in the relative] positions shown in Figure 2, such communication is prevented. Relative movement between the members 2 and 3 is optionally controlled by appropriate manipulation of that portion C-I of the casing which extends to the mouth of the well.

A feature of the present valve structure is the provision of a plurality of pairs of sealing surfaces 8, 9 and Ill between the members 2 and 3, the surfaces of each pair simultaneously engaging to seal between the members 2 and 3 when the members are in closed position. In this way, the need for sliding packed surfaces, or soft or resilient packing is avoided. t

Referring in more detail to the structure I, the upper end portion of the outer member 2 is internally threaded at [2 for attachment to a sub I3 which in turn is threadedly attached. to the upper portion 0-! of the casing string. The bore 14 of the member v'2 is of progressively o a decreasing diameter toward the lower end to provide a series of axially spaced annular surfaces 8-a, 9a and Ill-a, forming respectively one surface of the pairs of sealing surfaces 8, 5 and ill. The port or ports 4, which are shown as four in number, extend through the wall of the member '2 at a position between surfaces 8a and 9-11;

The exterior surface of the inner member 3 is similarly stepped to provide spaced annular surfaces $b 9-6 and IGb which form respectively the other surfaces of the pairs 8, 9 and Ill, the ports 5 passing through the wall of the member 3 intermediate the surfaces 9-b and Iib. The member 3 has a bore I5 which is the same diameter as that of the casing C to facilitate the passage of the cementing plugs or other tools, and extends a substantial distance below the lower end of the member 2, for a purpose to be presently described. The lower end of the member 3 is externally threaded, as indicated by it, for attachment to a coupling member ll, which is threaded on the upper end of the lower casing portion C2.

It will be apparent that engagement of the shoulders 8b-, 9-b and Ill-b on the member 3 respectively with the surfaces 8-a, 9a and Ill-a on the member 2 limits downward movement of the member 3 with respect to the member 2 and thus serves to transmit the weight of the lower casing portion C2 to the valve structure I and thence to the upper casing portion Furthermore, byappropriately supporting the lower casing portion C2 andlowering the upper portion CI to cause downward movement of the outer member 2 with respect to the inner member 3, the pairs of sealing surfaces 8, 9 and 10 are separated and ports 3 are placed in communication with ports 5, thus opening the valve.

To insure as free discharge as possible through the ports '4 and 5, means are provided to insure their being in substantial alignment when the valve is open. For aligning the ports 4 and in the direction of the axis of the valve structure I, the parts are so proportioned that the upper end surface 3-a of the member 3 contacts the'lower end surface I3a of the sub I3 when the ports i and 5 are vertically aligned, preventin further downward movement of the member 2 with respect to the member 3 (see Figure 3). For aligning the ports 4 and 5 transversely or angularly about the axis ofthe valve members 2 and 3, one or more keying lugs 29 may be provided on the inner member 3 for engaging suitable slots 2! provided in the outer member 2. The lugs 20 and the slots 2! prevent angular movement between the members 2 and 3; to facilitate axial movement between the members, the sides of the lugs 20 and slots 2| are tapered to provide substantial clearance until the members approach port opening position.

A valve arranged as just described has important advantages. Thus it can be operated to open and close solely by relative axial movement of the parts imparted by lowerin and raising the upper casing portion CI. Accordingly, there is'n-o dange of loosening the threaded connections between any of the casing sections, such as exists with a valve requiring rotation of the casing. The sealing surfaces do not require a 4 valve to open, facilitating operation in a tight hole where the casin tends to stick.

The manner in which the pairs of surfaces 8, 9 and i0 serve to seal the space within the eas- 'ing from that without the casing will now be It is of course to be understood that are slightly less than the corresponding diameters of the bore I4, by an amount of the order of .902 for example, to insure free relative movement of the members. Fluid can pass with some freedom through such a clearance. Referring to Figure 2, it will be seen that the sealing surfaces 8 prevent communication of the upper portion I4-a of the bore I4 with the next lower portion I4b and hence through the port 4, with the space outside the casing C, Similiarly the surfaces 9 prevent communication of the bore portion I4-b and the next lower bore portion I4c, thus isolating ports 4 from ports 5. Lastly, the surfaces i5 seal the bore portion I4-c from the lowest portion I4--d, thus preventing communication between the interior and the exterior of the casing via bores I4'c and I4d, and port 5. In

this way a sleeve type valve is provided without the need of packing against relatively moving parts, or employing any type of soft packing.

It may be desirable to provide means for positively locking the valve in closed position while it is being run in the well. For this purpose a sleeve 22 is supported by the collar I'I below the member 2 for rotation about the member 3 and carries a set of conventional friction springs 23 adapted to engage the wall of the well bore W.

The sleeve 22 is shown as having a pair of dia-' by encountering an obstruction or from other causes, is prevented.

A clearance space 26 is provided in the member 2 adjacent eachsurface 25, for accommodating the projection 2 1. Accordingly, when it is de-. sired to open the valve I, the casing string C together'with the entire valve structure I is turned a short distance in a clockwise direction,

looking downwardly on Figure 6, as indicated by the arrow. The sleeve 22 is restrained against such movement by the drag 'of the springs 23 on the well wall, so that the movement of the member 2 places the spaces 26 in position to receive the projections 24. Thereafter with the lower casing portion C2 appropriately supported,

downward movement of the upper casing portion Cl will cause the valve I to open.

The valve may be employed in connection With' well cementing operations in a generally conventional manner. Thus, the casing string C includ ing the valve I is run in the well bore W as shown in'Figure 1, except, that the valve I is in closed position, and the cementing operations below the valve are performed as usual. string has been cemented in a position above the bottom of the bore, suiiicient time must be'allowed to elapse'for the cement'to'harden sufficiently to support the weight of that portion of the casing string C2 below the valve, before attempting to open the valve. If thecasing string C has been If the casing 5 cemented on bottom, the valve I may be opened immediately.

To open the valve, the casing C is first rotated to release the lock formed by the projections 24 and recesses 25. The casing string is then lowered sufficiently to slack offthe weight of the casing portion C2 below the valve or slightly more from the elevator supporting the casing, causing the valve to open. Such opening will usually be indicated by the weight indicator and can often be felt on the casing. Should the valve fail to open, as might be caused for example by the upper portion of the casing C-I sticking in the well bore, additional opening force may be exerted on the valve by slacking off some or all of the weight of the upper casing portion C-l.

To close the valve the casing string C is raised to its original hanging weight. The valve I ,will now be closed and may be appropriately tested.

I claim: f

l. A valve structure for insertion in a casing string, comprising a, pair of tubular members telescoping one within the other, one of said members being adapted to be secured to the casing portion above the valve, the other member being adapted to be secured to the casing portion below the valve, there being a port through the wall of each member, adapted to establish communication between the space within and the space without the casing, and a plurality of axially spaced annular sealing surfaces on each of said members extending transversely of the axis of said members, the sealing surfaces of one of said members being above and below the port therein and positioned to simultaneously engage the sealing surfaces on the other of said members to formseals between said members above and below the port in one of said members upon relative axial movement of said members to interrupt said communication.

2. A valve structure for insertion in a casing string, comprisin a pair of tubular members telescoping one within the other, one of said members being adapted to be secured to the casing portion above the valve, the other member being adapted to be secured to the casing portion below the valve, there beinga port through the wall of each member adapted to establish communication between the space within and the space without the casing, and a plurality of axially paced annular sealing surfaces on each of said members extending transversely of the axis of said members, the sealing surfaces on each of said members being above and below the port therein and positioned so that sealing surfaces on one member will simultaneously engage the sealing surfaces on the other member to form seals between said members above and below the ports upon relative axial movement of said members to interrupt said communication.

3. A valve structure for insertion in a casing string, comprising a pair of tubular members telescoping one within the other, one of said members being adapted to be secured to the easing portion above the valve, the other member being adapted to be secured to the casing portion below the valve, there being a port through the wall of each member, adapted to be positioned by relative axial movement between the members to establish communication between the space within and the space without the casing, said ports being substantially aligned when said mem-' 8 terrupt communication between said spaces, co engaged elements on said members preventing relative rotation between said members, lock means rotatably carried by one of said members for contacting the other of said members and releasably retaining said members in communication preventing position, and restraining means on said lock means engageable with the well wall for preventing rotation of said lock means,

' whereby rotation of said members with respect to said lock means serves to release said members for axial movement.

4. A valve structure, comprising a pair of tubular members telescoped one within the other, there being a port through the wall of each member, adapted to establish communication between the space within the inner member and the space without the outer member, upon relative axial movement of the members to one position, and means to prevent such communication upon relative axial movement of the members to another position, said means comprising axially spaced annular shoulders on each of said members, extending tranversely of the axis of said members, the shoulders on one of said members being on opposite sides of the port therein and simultaneously engageable with the shoulders on the other of said members to form seals between said members above and below said ports.

5. A valve structure, comprising a pair of tubular members telescoped one within the other, there being a port through the wall of each member, adapted to establish communication between the space within the inner member and the space without the outer member, upon relative axial movement of the members to one position, and means to prevent such communication upon relative axial movement of the members to another position, said means comprising axially spaced shoulders on each of said members above and below the ports in said members, extending transversely of said members, the shoulders on one of said members being simultaneously engageable with the shoulders on the other of said members to form seals between said members above and below said ports.

' 6. A valve structure for insertion in. a casing string, comprising a pair of tubular members telescoped one within the other for relative axial movement, one of said members being adapted to be secured to the casing portion above the valve, the other member being adapted to be secured to the casing portion below the valve, means for limiting axial movement between the members, comprising shoulders on said members,

adapted to coengage to limit relative movement between the members in one direction, and a plurality of axially spaced shoulders on each of said members extending transversely of the axis of said members and positioned so that the axially spaced shoulders on one member will simultaneously engage the axially spaced shoulders on the other member to limit relative movement between the members in the opposite direction, and means on said members for establishing communication between the space within and the space without the casing when the members are at one limit of their relative movement, said axially spaced shoulders cooperating when engaged to prevent such communication when the members are at the other limit of their relative movement.

7. A valve structure for insertion in a casing string, comprising a pair of tubular members telescoped one within the other for relative axial spaced shoulders on one member will simultaneously'engage the axially spaced shoulders on the .otherrmembertolimit relative movement between the members in the opposite direction, means on said members for establishing communication between thespace within and the space without the casing when the members are 2.1310119111111113 of their relative movement, 'saidv'axially spaced shoulders cooperating when-engaged,

to .prevent suchcommunication when the members are at the other limit of their relative movement, 'andmeans on one of said members engageable with the other of said members for releasably locking said members in communication preventing relation and engaging the well wall, and operable to disengage said members for relative axial movement in response to limited rotary movement of at least one of saidmembers relative to said locking means.

c8.l.A valve structure for insertion in a casing string insertible in a well, comprising a pair of tubular memberstelescoped one within the other for relative axial movement, one of said members being adapted .to be secured to the casing portion above the valve, theother member being adapted to be secured to the casing portion below the valve, means for limiting axial movement between the members, comprising shoulders on said members, adapted to co-engage to limit relativemovement between the members in one direction, and a plurality of axially spaced shoulderson each of said members positioned so that the axially. spaced shoulders on one member will simultaneously engage the axially spaced shoulders onthelother member .to limit relative movement between themembers. inthe opposite direction, there being :a port through the wall of each member between axially spaced shoulders thereon; movement of said members to one limit of their relative movement serving to align the BOItSilll the direction of the axis of the members, co-engaged elements on said members aligning the ports in adirection transverse to said axis, whereby to establishcommunication between the space within and the space without the casing, said axially spaced shoulders cooperating when engaged, to seal said ports and prevent such communication when the members are 'at the other limit of theirrelativemovement, and means for releasably locking said members in communication preventing relation comprising, a locking element rotatably mounted on one of said members and engaging the well wall, said element having a projection engageable with the other member for maintaining said members in communication preventing relation, said other member having a recess for accommodating said projection upon angular movement between said other member and said element, whereby said members are'released for movement into communication establishingrelation.

9. A valve structure for insertion in a casing string, comprising a pair of tubular members telescopically joined one to the other for relative axial movement, adapted respectively to be secured to the casing portions above and ibfilOW said structure, there being a port through the wall of each member adapted to establish communication between the space within and the space without the casing, a plurality of axially spaced ann-ularsealing surfaces on each of said members, extending transversely of the axis of saidmembers, the surfaceson one of said members being simultaneously engageable Wlu'h the surfaceson the other of said members uponrelative axial .movementof said members to inter-.- mlpt said communication, and means "for re-v leasably securing said members in communication interrupting position including co-engage= able 1 elements on said members disengageable on relative movement therebetween, and meansvon one of said elements for restraining movement thereof :by contact with the well wall.

10. A valvestructure for-insertion inaecasing string, comprising a pair of tubular members telescopically engaged one within the other, adapted respectively'to be secured to the casing portions above and below said structure, means on said members limiting relative axial and rotational movement between said members, means on saidmembers forestablishing communication between the space within and the space without the casing-at one limit of said movement and interrupting communication at the other limit, and means releasably securing said members againstrelative axial movement, comprising an element jsupportedon one of said members and rotatable relative thereto, said element and the other of sai me bers be nes e at vely rotat le n havin ne gine surf e f l m todiex nt, moan on sai element for iri t o a lyestra in r tation of said cl men byoont c thth l wa rotat on o said pair of m m re a e tosaid el men oau i st d u fa t disengage to permit relative axial movement of said mem bers.

'11.. .A lvestructu o f in e t on ine os ne stri omp isi a a r o ub members mount done within the otherr rsr la i ial movem nt. adaptedresp ely to be soourodto the r asir s por ions. bov and bel w said-structur ,:moans limitine elativeaxial and ro a onal movement between saidmembers, mean on said members forestablishing communication between the spacewithin and the space without the casing at one limitnof said movement,and-interrupting communication ;at the other limit, -means re- I leasably securing said members. against relative axial movement, comprising an element sup,- ported on one of said membersrand rotatable relative :thereto, said element and the other of said members formingrelatively rotatable portions'and having .coeng-aging surfaces of limited angular-extent; and means on said elementfor contacting lafixed surface and restraining said elementtagainst rotation, whereby rotation of saidpair of said" members causes disengagement of said surfaces.

12. Avalve-structure for'insertion in a casing string, comprising a pair of tubula members mounted one within the other for relative axial movement and adapted respectively to be secured to the casing portions above and below said structure, means on said members limiting relative axial movement between said members, means on said members "for establishing communication between the space'within and thespace without the casing at one limit of said'movement and interrupting communication at the other limit, and *means releasably locking said members against relative axial movement at one of said limits, comprising an element supported on one of said members and rotatable relative thereto, means for restraining said element against rotation, said element and the other of said members being relatively rotatable, said element having an annular surface of limited angular extent releasably engageable with said othe member to maintain said members in one of said limiting positions, relative rotation between said element and said other member disengaging said surfaces to allow relative movement of said members to the other limiting position.

13. A valve structure for insertion in a casing string, comprising a pair of tubular members mounted one within the other for relative axial movement, adapted respectively to be secured to the casing portions above and below the valve, there being a, port through the wall of each of said members, means on said members limiting relative axial movement between said members, said ports being adapted to establish communication between the space within and the space Without the casing at one limit of said movement, said communication being interrupted at the other limit of said movement, abutting portions on said members preventing relative rotation thereof, releasable lock means for preventing relative axial movement between said members and maintaining said members at one of said limiting positions, comprising an element rotatable on one of said members and axially restrained thereon, said element having an axial projection, said other member having a portion for releasable engagement with said projection, said projection when engaging said portion maintaining said members in port closing relation, means on said element for engaging the well wall to restrain rotation of said element, relative rotation between said members and said element serving to disengage said projection from said portion and allow movement between said members.

LAN'DES H. HAYWARD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

